Compare towns

Bakersfield vs Marshfield vs Groton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bakersfield has the most expensive homes ($271k median).
Marshfield has the most kids (19.4% under 18).
Groton has the most homeowners (94.4%).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureBakersfieldMarshfieldGroton
People
Population
1,109Highest
470Lowest
967
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%
VT: +2.8%
—
-3.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
46.4±8Highest
8% above VT
42.4±8.8Lowest
about the VT average
45.7±5.8
6% above VT
Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.6%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
19.4%±9.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.3%±2.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Marshfield and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.2%±3.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
10.2%±4.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
20.5%±3
VT: 21.4%
Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
38.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.6%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±5.7Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$83,462±$18k
about the VT average
$84,375±$20kHighest
4% above VT
$77,250±$14kLowest
5% below VT
Marshfield and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,300±$19kHighest
14% below VT
$178,300±$31kLowest
44% below VT
$243,000±$70k
23% below VT
Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,200±$327Highest
about the VT average
$1,125±$79
9% below VT
$288±$151Lowest
77% below VT
Bakersfield and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,823Highest
24% below VT
$3,269Lowest
35% below VT
$3,659
27% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
18.8%±100
VT: 48.4%
52.4%±62.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
12.5%±72.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Marshfield and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.8%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94%
VT: 73.2%
81.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
40% above VT
29 minLowest
24% above VT
30 min
29% above VT
Work from home
14.2%±7
VT: 16.9%
17.5%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.3%±7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Marshfield and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 — —
High school in town None in town — —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet None yet None yet

VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.